Valentine Intern Spotlight: Sophia McCrimmon
Our PR & Marketing Intern Sophia discusses her love of Richmond history and shares her expectations as a new member of the Valentine team.
My name is Sophia McCrimmon and I am a rising sophomore at the University of Virginia working as a public relations and marketing intern at the Valentine this summer.
I found my way to the Valentine primarily thanks to a love for Richmond’s complex and robust history. As a lifelong Richmonder and history enthusiast, I grew up exploring many of the meaningful spaces in and around this city – from Hollywood Cemetery to Cold Harbor Battlefield. Thinking about the stories hidden amidst familiar streets made me interested in the politics of space and ideologies of memory.
As a history major and historical tour guide at UVa, I’ve had the opportunity to explore these topics inside and outside of the classroom. I have learned that history is human – both profound and profane, painful and personal. I have also learned that history is powerful – it can restore agency and dignity to forgotten stories, change perspectives through uncomfortable conversations and forge empathy across and within communities. That’s why I think history should be a living field, based on discovery and conversation.
When I first visited the Valentine, the museum’s mission struck a chord with me. I felt inspired by the Valentine’s focus on intersectionality and relevance in its exhibitions and I loved the museum’s role as a forum for community education and discussion. I am so excited to help realize that mission through my work in public relations this summer. In this position, I hope to help make our history more accessible by reaching out to new audiences, publicizing provocative exhibitions, and sparking conversations on social media. I’m also eager to explore the museum’s robust archives, investigating compelling new stories that add to the complex history of this city. My enthusiasm for the Valentine’s exciting upcoming exhibitions makes me thrilled to help reach out to the Richmond community and cultivate interest in this unique institution.
Sophia McCrimmon is an intern at the Valentine in Richmond.
